Author: RumseyYost

Elaine Louise Blank

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Elaine Louise Blank, age 94, passed away on Sunday, November 26, 2023 at LMH.

Elaine was born on August 21, 1929 in Kansas City, KS to Robert and Lottie Modrell.  She attended KU and was a member of the Alpha Omicron Pi Sorority.  She was a finalist for KU Relay Queen.

Elaine married Robert H. Blank on June 25, 1950 and was happily married for 62 years, before Bob’s death in 2012.

She was active in Ventura Club and several Bridge groups and was an avid gardener.  Elaine worked for Allen Press for several years as a proof reader.

Elaine is preceded in death by her parents, her husband, her sister Ruth Modrell and brother Robert Modrell.  Elaine is survived by her daughter Sheri Robertson, sons Rob Blank and Randy (Betty) Blank, grandchildren Kimberly Carter, Madelyn Blank and Julia Blank as well as two great grandchildren Kollin Green and Rennie Carter.

Funeral services for Elaine will be held Sunday, December 3 at 3:30 at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home, 601 Indiana Street, Lawrence, KS  66044.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Elaine’s name to “Do Good for Erin”.  DoGoodForErin.com is a foundation benefiting both KU School of Social Welfare and women and children who are victims of domestic violence.

John G. VanDiest

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It is with heavy hearts that we inform you of the passing of John G. VanDiest, 85, of Lenora, Kansas, on Sunday, November 26, 2023, surrounded by his family. He was born in Lenora, Kansas, on August 23, 1938, son of T.H. and Helen (Bennett) VanDiest. John grew up in Lenora, graduated from Lenora High School in 1956, and graduated with a degree in psychology from Doane College in Crete, Nebraska, where he also played football.
In June of 1964, John married Patricia Hardiek of Norton, Kansas. They built their home in Lenora and together they raised two children, Teresa and Greg. John served in the U.S. Air Force Reserve, and was active in the community as president of the Jaycee, Chief of the Lenora Volunteer Fire Department, Lenora City Council member, and little league baseball coach.
He spent his life in the farming/ranching industry, fertilizer business, and owner/operator of VanDiest Grain. He remained active with his farming and cattle operation until his health declined in recent years. John never met a stranger or foe, as evidenced by his loyal customers and he treated them all with respect and fairness. Never a bad word can be associated with the name, John VanDiest.
Always an avid sports fan, John never missed a game and supported his teams 100%, even if their performance was less than stellar. We remember dad fondly sitting in his chair with his “Go Big Red” cup, and later changing it to a blue cup (for obvious reasons)!
John is survived by his wife Pat; daughter, Teresa (VanDiest) Akin and husband Danny of Thornton, Colorado; son, Greg VanDiest and special friend Denise of Eudora, Kansas; three grandsons, of whom he was tremendously proud — Ben VanDiest, Wichita, Kansas, Zakary VanDiest; Eudora, Kansas, and Chase Akin, Thornton, Colorado. Other survivors include a sister, Marian Nuernberger of Lincoln, Nebraska; two brothers-in-law, Roger Hardiek and wife Bev and Jim Frack, all of Norton, Kansas; three sisters-in-law, Lisa Hardiek, of Las Vegas, Nevada, Connie Dreyer and husband Roger, and Cathy McMillin, all of Hays, Kansas; and many nieces and nephews.John was welcomed to his heavenly home by his parents, T.H. and Helen VanDiest; his parents-in-law, Virg and Irene Hardiek; three brothers-in-law, Bill Nuernberger, Rick Hardiek, and Danny McMillin; two sisters-in-law, Kay Berls and husband Jerry, and Rhonda Frack, and many cousins and lifelong friends. There surely were hugs all around and maybe a drink or two when he arrived!
A private ceremony at the Lenora South Cemetery will be planned at a later date. The family suggests memorials be made to the Arthritis Foundation, in lieu of flowers. In honor of our dad John, and dear friend to many, we ask that you raise a glass to toast the life of this amazing man on Friday, December 15 at 7:00 p.m. We will miss his witty sense of humor and his smile that lit up the room, more than words can say! We look forward to the day we will all be together again.

David Underwood Fitzcharles

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David Underwood Fitzcharles of Brandon Woods Retirement Community, Lawrence, KS and Naples, FL entered heaven on November 22, 2023.  He was born on Feb 2, 1929 and was the son of the late James and Lucille Fitzcharles, brother of the late James Fitzcharles III, an attorney, and the late Sarah L. Fitzcharles, RN.  He is survived by his loving wife of 64 years, Alice Ritchie Fitzcharles of the home, and three children.  They are Michael of Naples, FL; Diane Covello and husband Timothy, of West Hartford, CT; and Eric and wife Melinda, of Edwards, CO.  He adored his five grandchildren – Allyson Covello and her fiancé Imran Cronk of New York, NY; Matthew Covello of Worcester, MA; Evan Fitzcharles of Highland Heights, KY; Adam Fitzcharles of Lawrence, KS; and Ethan Fitzcharles of Lawrence, KS.  He also is survived by a dear Sister, Carolyn Wyckoff of Trumbull CT, and many nieces and nephews.

David grew up in Lower Makefield Township, Bucks County, PA, and received a Bachelor’s Degree from Pennsylvania State University and a Master’s Degree from the Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania.  After graduate school, David moved to Chicago, where he met Alice through a young singles group at the First Presbyterian Church in Evanston, IL.  They were married on October 10, 1959.

Mr. Fitzcharles was employed in various investment positions.  He worked as Securities Analyst with the  Northern Trust Company, Chicago; Vice President of Investments for Casualty and Life Insurance companies of  American Family Insurance Group, Madison, WI.; and Executive Director for Pension and Profit Sharing Plans of Farmland Industries, Inc. of Kansas City, MO.  He is a former member of the Philadelphia Stock Exchange, and a member and past President of the Kansas City Society of Financial Analysts.  He was a Chartered Financial Analyst,  a member of the CFA Institute, Charlottesville, VA, and served several years on its Examination Grading Staff.  He was a member of Post 14, American Legion, Lawrence, KS, having served in the US Army during the Korean War.

Mr. Fitzcharles was an avid biker, and continued taking 20-30 mile bike rides until after his 88th birthday.  He enjoyed tennis, bridge and family vacations including trips to Florida, California, England and Scotland.  He also took annual ski trips to Colorado, Utah, Wisconsin, and Michigan for many years.

Dad will be forever inspiring as a bedrock of support to everyone in his family, never wavering through all phases of life, always setting a stellar example for his children and grandchildren, putting the rest of us ahead of himself, and only asking for hugs in return.  Dad exemplified humility, delighting in the accomplishments of his children and grandchildren, without highlighting his own.  Grandpa will always be remembered for his witty, incisive, and occasionally comedic adages about the world around him, and his quiet ruthlessness at the bridge table.  He was a good friend and neighbor to many, and his mind ran circles around all of us to the end.

In lieu of flowers, a donation may be made to the Brandon Woods Employee Recognition Fund, 1501 Inverness Ave., Lawrence, KS 66047, or First Presbyterian Church, 2415 Clinton Parkway, Lawrence, KS 66047-3723.

Details regarding a Memorial Service will be announced by Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home (rumsey-yost.com) at a later date.

Shirley Ann Phillips

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Shirley Ann Phillips passed away on November 24, 2023 in Lawrence, Kansas. Shirley was born October 27, 1932, in Kansas City, Missouri, the daughter of Dale and Ruth Liese. She grew up in Kansas City, Missouri and graduated from the University of Missouri in Columbia.

She was an accountant for Kansas City Power & Light Co. and for Commonwealth Edison of Chicago. In 1964 she moved to Lawrence, Kansas. Beginning in 1972, she was administrator of United Child Development Center, and later financial administrator of the Douglas County Child Development Association

She sang in the Kansas City Philharmonic Choir, and the Lawrence Civic Choir.

After retirement, she volunteered as a Master Gardener for the Douglas County Extension Service, and at the Spencer Museum of Art. She was a member of the Kansas Alumni Association Endacott Society, the University Women’s Club, and St. Margaret’s Episcopal Church.

She married Oliver Phillips June 6, 1954. He preceded her in death February 16, 2010. Survivors include two sons, Stephen Phillips and wife Jean of Perry; Mark Phillips and wife Becky of Hillsboro, Oregon; five grandchildren, Grace, Laura, Luke, Tom and Nick.

Funeral services will be held at St. Margaret’s Episcopal Church in Lawrence, at 10am on Saturday, December 2nd.

The family suggests that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to St. Margaret’s Episcopal Church, 5700 W. 6th St., Lawrence, KS 66049, or to the Lawrence Humane Society, P.O. Box 651, Lawrence KS 66044

Sidney “Sid” Haupt

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Sidney “Sid” Martin Haupt, age 73 of Lawrence, Kansas passed away Thursday, November 2, 2023 at his home. Celebration of life will be held on December 9th at 11am at Worden Cornerstone Church in Baldwin City KS.

Sid was born on November 9th, 1949 in Leavenworth, Kansas the son of William Bernard Haupt and Gladys Lorene (Bowie) Haupt. Sid moved to Baldwin City, Kansas with his family in 1954. In his youth, Sid and his brother Les did yard work and shoveled snow for their neighbors. Sid attended Baldwin City schools and graduated from BHS in 1968. After graduation, Sid served as a cook primarily in the National Guard. He attended a trade school in Atchison, Kansas and then worked for Douglas County Public works as a surveyor for over 30 years retiring in 2012. He was a member of the Methodist Church.

Sid married Karen Sue Parsons in June of 1970 in Baldwin City, Kansas. They had 4 sons, Brian, Dennis, Gary, and Jay. They divorced after 24 years of marriage. Sid married Linda Mclaughlin in 2002 In Lawrence, Kansas. They divorced in 2020.

Sid Loved watching the KU Jayhawks and the KC Chiefs. He loved working on projects and helping his son Jay on the family farm. A fruit tree will be planted at the farm in his honor.

Sid is survived by his sons Dennis, Gary, Jay and Jay’s girlfriend Tarynn Stacy, his grandchildren Tula and Benoit Haupt, sister-in-law Sharon Haupt, and nephew Dustin Haupt, sister Darlene McRae(Florida) and other nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his father, William, his mother Gladys, his stepfather Charles “Pop” Spain, his brother Leslie “Les” Haupt, and his son Brian Haupt.

In lieu of flowers; please consider a donation to the church for hosting the service, or make a donation in his honor. Please let the Worden Cornerstone Church or family know if you plan to join us for lunch after the celebration of life.

Kara Sue Berry

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Kara Sue Berry, 61, passed away Friday, November 24, 2023 at Olathe Regional Medical Center.   She was born October 16, 1962 in Oakley, Kansas to Wesley B. and Maxine M. (Wagy) Berry.

Kara graduated high school in 1980 from Triplains USD, Winona, KS, and completed her education at Texas Woman’s University, Denton, TX, in 1985 with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. The majority of her career was spent at Parkland Health and Hospital in Dallas, TX in the ER Department as an ER Nurse and Biotel RN providing assistance to EMS services in the North Texas area.  Kara was a proud team member of the North Texas Disaster Medical Team TX-4 and was with the group as an early responder to Hurricane Katrina.

Kara retired from nursing in 2019 due to medical reasons and moved to Lawrence, Kansas to be near her family.  Kara was preceded in death by her parents.  She is survived by sisters, Beth (John) Senn, Lawrence, KS and Jana (Ed) Hutton, Colby, KS.  Kara was especially close to her nieces and nephews, Tanner Wycoff, Lindsay (Andrew) Smith, Emeline Hutton, and Eli Hutton.  Her role as great aunt to Wyatt and Lydia (Tanner) Wycoff and Elliott and Vada (Lindsay) Smith brought her much joy.

Inurnment at the Winona Cemetery will be held at a later date.  Memorials made to an animal rescue shelter (donor’s choice) would honor Kara’s love of animals and her rescue Dobermans, Bubba and Jubilee.

 

William Anthony Wapp

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William Anthony Wapp, 83 passed away November 19, 2023 at LMH Health in Lawrence, KS. He was born January 17, 1940 to John David, Sr. and Marie Ellen (Mangan) Wapp. He was raised in Frankfort and graduated from Frankfort High School in 1958. He farmed with his father on the family farm until he joined the U.S. Army in 1962. He went through training at Aberdeen Proving Grounds in Maryland, and then worked as an overseer at Leavenworth Penitentiary in Leavenworth, KS. He was deployed to Germany through the Vietnam era. When he returned in 1965 he worked on the family farm. In September 1965 he met the love of his life, Betty Lee Eden of Marysville, KS. They married on November 26, 1966 at Mount Calvary Lutheran Church, Marysville, KS. They had three children: son, Cory Anthony Wapp, and daughters, Crystal Lynne Herschell and Charity Monae’ Wapp, all of Lawrence, KS. His life was blessed with two grandsons, Matthew Meseke, Manhattan, KS and Nathan Herschell, Lawrence, KS.

In 1980, Bill and his family moved to Jeddah, Saudia Arabia where he was an aircraft welder for TWA American Contractors. The family returned to Frankfort in 1984. Bill farmed for a few years before the family moved to Lawrence, KS in 1988. He was employed by AeroQuip then E&E Display until retirement, and later he was a delivery driver for Advanced Auto Parts to stay busy.

Bill was always there to love and help his family in whatever they needed. He especially loved making family memories with his wife, children, and his two favorite grandsons. He enjoyed many family trips, daily outings, family dinners, parties and family game nights. He made many cherished memories while taking his grandsons to daycare and school when they were little. He made lots of memories with his nieces and nephews as well. Bill built a strong legacy for his family to cherish forever. May he rest in peace.

Preceding him in death was his parents, John and Marie Wapp; sisters, Eleanor Coe, Mary Schreiner; brothers, Edward, John Jr., Arthur, and Joseph; and nephews, Richard Wapp and Mark Coe. Bill is survived by his loving wife of 56 years, his son and daughters, grandsons, and many nieces and nephews.

A prayer service will be held on December 9, 2023 at 11:00 a.m. at Annunciation Catholic Church, Frankfort, KS with lunch to follow in the Cigna Center. Cremation is planned. Memorials may be made to “Wounded Warriors” and condolencences to Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home, Lawrence, KS

Corporal Logan James Hamby

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Corporal Logan James Hamby, age 20, passed away at his home on November 14, 2023, in Jacksonville, NC, after losing a battle with depression. He was born on August 4, 2003, in Lawrence, KS, the much-loved and only son of David and Stephanie (McDuff) Hamby and beloved brother to Taylor (Hamby) Cabral.

Logan entered the United States Marine Corps a month after graduating from Free State High School in May 2021. He graduated basic training as a Private First Class as an expert rifleman in September 2021 from the Marine Corps Recruit Depot in San Diego. He completed Infantry Training Battalion and participated in the Recon Training and Assessment Program at Camp Pendleton in California before being relocated to Camp LeJeune in Jacksonville, NC, in December 2021. While at Camp LeJeune, Logan served as a supply administrative clerk for the Marine Raider Regiment, where he received a commendation for his service in February 2023.

Logan was a young man whose playful antics and sarcastic wit kept his family and friends laughing. He was adventurous in spirit, loyal to friends, and fiercely private. Some of his favorite activities included playing video games on his computer and Xbox as well as hanging out with his beloved dog, Sierra, and cat, Whiskey. As a teen, Logan and his dad developed a shared enjoyment of indoor and outdoor rock climbing. They completed the American Alpine Institute Outdoor Rock Climbing Course and climbed the First Flatiron Mountain together in Boulder, CO. In recent years, he enjoyed training in boxing, mixed martial arts, and Jiu-Jitsu both at Thatchers’ Training Center in Lawrence and at Rising Athlete Warriors MMA in Jacksonville, NC. A few weeks ago, he won two individual gold medals and one team gold medal in Jiu-Jitsu, going 7-0 in his matches.

Another favorite activity was traveling with family and friends. As a kid, he loved camping at Clinton Lake and in Estes Park, CO, with the Royal Ambassadors at FSBC Lawrence, where he was a member. Throughout his life, Logan built great memories with his sister while traveling with their parents to Italy, Poland, and Hawaii. The siblings also relished traveling together with their grandparents, and sometimes even with exchange student siblings, to Disney parks, on roadtrips along the East and West coasts and cruises to Alaska, Europe, and the Caribbean. Perhaps one of his favorite adventures was a roadtrip he took with his friends to California in June 2021, in between his graduation from high school and beginning boot camp. Logan’s beautiful photographs of his many travels dot some of the walls in his parents’ home and will be cherished in the years to come.

He is survived by his wife of two years, Corporal Megan Ozaki of Jacksonville, NC; his parents, David and Stephanie Hamby of Lawrence, KS; his sister and brother-in-law, Taylor and Justin Cabral of Topeka, KS; niece, Hadassah Cabral and a future nephew of Topeka, KS; grandparents, Theo and Celia McDuff of Wichita, KS; and grandparents, Brian and Doris Hamby of Hutchinson, KS; two uncles, two aunts, and seven cousins of Wichita, KS; and extended family in Michigan, Indiana, and Oklahoma. Logan was also a host brother to five international students: Teresa Tinebra of Asti, Italy; Anna-Sofie Skov of Ishøj, Denmark; Alessandra Maltempi of Carate Brianza, Italy; Jorge Cáceres of Campeche, Mexico; and Lucas Ohlberger of Wiesbaden, Germany. Additionally, Logan will be missed by a tightknit group of high school friends, his fellow soldiers in the Marine Corps, and those he trained with at Thatchers’ Training Center and at Rising Athlete Warriors MMA.

Funeral arrangements are being handled by Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home, 601 Indiana St. in Lawrence. On Thursday, November 30, there will be a visitation from 1:00 to 2:00 pm and a Funeral service at 2:00 pm at FSBC Lawrence, 4300 W. 6th St. The burial will take place immediately following at Oak Hill Cemetery, 1605 Oak Hill Ave. in Lawrence.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the non-profit Stop Soldier Suicide in memorial of Logan Hamby at https://stopsoldiersuicide2023.funraise.org/fundraiser/hamby or mail a donation directly to Stop Soldier Suicide, P.O. Box 110605, Durham, NC, 27709.